Heat exchange apparatus



4 Sheetsf-Sheet l R. J. WIGHTMAN ETAL HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed July 24, 1929 Sept-15, 1931.

Sept 15, 1931- R. .1.` WIGHTMAN E-r AL 1,822,915

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARTUS Filed JulyA24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 sept.' 15, l931- R. J. WIGHTMAN ET AL 1,822,915

' HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS 4 sheets-sheet s Filed July 24. 19129- f? 770 ,QA/fris.

Sept. l5, 1931. R, 1 W|G||TMAN E'f/AL v 1,822,915

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARTUS Filed July 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 y Afro/@M5 K5.

Patented Sept. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES' Parleur` orner-i ROLAN JAY WIGHTMAN AND- WILLIAM ASTLE, F LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK, AS- SIGNORS'TO CHERRY-BURRELL CORPORATION, 0F LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Application led July 24, 1929. Serial No. 380,582.

This invention relates to heat exchange ap paratus of that kind which comprise a bank or group of tubes connected end to end to form a continuous flow passage for a fluid for the purpose of an exchange of heat between the fluid within the passage and the fluid or medium contacting with the exterior of the tubes. More particularly the invention is directed to improvements in` apparatus if this sort adapted for use as a regenerator in the pasteurization of milk and other liquids, and in which the cold liquid to be pasteurized and the warm pasteurized liquidto the tubes. It has been found by experience that there are'certain disadvantages to such rigid construction. In the usual operation of such apparatus, the cold liquid at a temperature, say approximately 40 degrees,

v is discharged on the outer surface of the uppermos't tube and flows down over theoutside surfaces of the tubes, while the pasteurized or hot liquid is delivered to and enters the inside of the lowermost tube at ay much higher temperature, for instance, approximately 145 degrees. There isa heat exchange of about 80 percent, the cold liquid beingl heated to about 125 degrees, and the hot liquid being cooled to about 60 degrees. These widely different temperatures affecting different parts of the device produce uneven expansion and contraction of the tubes, which places severe strains on the joints. Even reater strains are occasioned during the sterllization of the apparatus, in which steam may be passed alinement and interfere with the uniform and efficient operation of the apparatus.

One object of our invention is to provide a .heat exchange apparatus of the type mentioned which is of a practical and desirable construction such as to avoid the above mentioned objections.

Other objects of the invention are to leave the tubes unsecured except at their midlength portions only so as to permit free an independent expansion and contraction of the tubes at their opposite ends ;also to construct the apparatus -so that while leaving the ends of the tubes free to expand and contract lengthwise, they nevertheless will be retained in proper alinement and spacing so as to preserve the predetermined relation or position of the tubes necessary to thev uniform flow of the liquid over the surfaces of the tubes; also to support the tubes and connect the tubes end to end so as to permit independent expansion and contraction of the ends of the tubes relatively to each other and to their supports, and the return caps or connectors at the ends ofthe tubes; also to provide return caps or connectors for the ends of the tubes which are attached to the tubes by ,liquid tight joints which nevertheless allow thenecessary slightly different movements of the tubes relative to the return caps or connectors, caused by the differential expansion -and contraction of the tubes; also to provide the apparatus ywith side and top closure members which form an enclosing chamber for the tubes or heat exchange parts,

. but which are readily movable to expose or' afford access to the tubes; also to provide a combined base and liquid trough which forms the support for the apparatus and avoids the necessity for the usual outside frame-work, supporting pipes, etc; and also to improve heat exchange apparatus in the Aother respects through the tubes, and hot water at 18() de' hereinafter described and set forth in the grees or more may 'be run over the exterior of the tubes. Experience has shown that unless this sterilization is done ver carefully by gradually heating up the tu es, the solder joints are liable to crack loose or, in case the joints are brazed o r the solder joints hold, the tubes are liable to spring or bow out of proper claims. I

In the accompanylng drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a heat exchange apparatus embodying the invention showing portions of the side closure members and the p bottom trough broken away and one section of the top cover raised out of its closed posltion.

Fig. 2 is-an end elevation-of the apparatus on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional elevation thereof on line 3-3`, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional elevation thereof on a still larger scale. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the body member of one of the tube connectors or return caps.

Fig. 6 is a transverse, sectional elevation of the apparatus, on an enlarged scale, on line 6 6, F ig. 1. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, inside elevation of one of the transverse track bars of the apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a transverse, sectional elevation of the liquid distributor. Q

Fig. 9 is a transverse, sectional elevation of one of the removable cover sections. i Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan vieuv thereof.

The apparatus may be made in one or more sections, the apparatus illustrated in -the drawings beingl composed of three similar sections A, B and C, arranged one upon another. Each section comprises a bank or series of tubes 11 arranged side by side, preferably horizontally one above another and joined end to end in series by return caps or connectors 12, and in the case of a multiple section apparatus, the adjacent tubes of adjacent sections are similarly connected so as to form a continuous zig-zag flow passage for the liquid. Preferably, the tubes of each section are rigidly secured in proper spaced relation at their mid-length portions, or between their ends, by upright braces 13 which may be conveniently made in two halves recessed to ft and embrace the opposite sides of the tubes, the two halves of the brace being rigidly secured to the tubes and to each other between the tubes as by brazing or soldering. The opposite ends of the tubes are looselyv supported, preferably by passing through holes 14 in vertical supports or end members 15, the holes 14 being sufficiently large to permit the tubes to be passed through and to move in the holes in the lengthwise expansion and contraction of the tubes.

The return caps or connectors 12 which join the tubes end to end are coupled to the ends of the tubes in a manner to form liquid tight joints between the tubes and connectors, but nevertheless permit the slight movement of the tubes in the connectors incident to the 55 differential expansion and contraction of the adjacent tubes, and preferably to also permit the connectors to be readily disconnected from the ends of the tubes. In the preferred construction shown, see Figs. 4 and 5, each 00 of the connectors comprises an annular body 16 which is secured to the ends of two adjacent tubes, and a cap 17 hinged to the body. The body 16 is provided with two threaded holes 18 in each of which the end of one of the tubes 1l is clamped by a screw ring 19 which Surrounds the tube andV is screwed into the threaded hole 18 so as to engage a tapered packing ring of brass or othersuitable metal 20 surrounding the tube at the inner end of the screw ring. By screwing in the screw rings 19, the packing rings 2() are wedged in between the tubes and the tapered inner ends 0f the holes in thebody 16. 'lhe packing rings 20 are of slightly less ta pei" than the cooperating seats in the holes 13 and forni liquid tight joints between the ends ol` the tubes and the body of the connector. 'lhe cap 17 is preferably pivotcd on au arm 21 hinged to the body 16 at one side thereof at 22, and the cap is adapted to be clamped against the. outer edge 0f the body, for instance by a.

sci'ew 23 hinged to the opposite. side of the body and adapted to swing between the legs of the forked, free end of the: hinge arm 2l, the screw carrying a wing nut 25 adapted to bear against the forked end of the arm for forcing the cap towards the body. A packing gasket 26 of paper or other suitable imiterial encircling the inner end of the cap between a shoulder thereon and the outer edge of the body 16 insures a liquid tight joint between the cap and the body.

,By the construction described. the ends of the tubes 1l are free to move endwise ini dependently in the holes 14 in the end supp0rts15 under the expansion and contraction of the tubes, and the couplings between the connectors and tubes enable. the slight relative movement of the tubes and connectors which may be caused by reason of a dilference in expansion and contraction between ports of the second section B. The bottom section A rests upon and is. secured as by bolts 31, to a combined base and liquid trough which is preferably built up of upright end ieces or castings 32 and 33 connected by ongitudinal brace and tie rods 34, and upper side bars 35' which support the trough 36 extending lengthwise beneath the lowermost tube of the bottoni section of the apparatus. The side bars 35 are. preferably angle bars arranged at an angle to the verti. cal, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the upwardly diverging sides of the trough, which may be vformed ofV sheet metal, bear upon the inclined upper flanges of the bars 35, with the side edges of the trough sheet bent `over and soldered or brazed to the upper trough rests uponA and is secured to a flange 37 on the end casting 32 of the base and the opposite end of the trough rests upon and is secured to asimilar iange 37a on the opposite end casting 33 of the base, saidiianges conforming to the cross sectional form of the trough. The end castings 32, 33 form the ends of the trough, which is shallow, and the end casing 33 is preferably formed with a pocket 38, see Fig. 4, which is deeper than the lower end of the trough 36 and isl adapted to receive the liquid d/raining out of the trough whereby the liquidncollects to a sufficient depth in the pocket to keep the pump inlet pipe 39 always submerged notwithstanding that there need be only a very shallow stream of liquid in the trough. The purpose of this shallow bottom trough is .to prevent milkfrom. collecting therein in quantity and being held a considerable time. at an undesirable temperature, and to -pre- ,vent the formation of a scum or foam which distribute the liquid in a thin film over the surface of the uppermost tube. The distributor shownl is constructed and operates as .described in the application for 'United States Patent Serial No. 17 4,922, filed March 12, 1927, but it could be of any other suitable construction. The distributor shown is provided -at its middle with an inlet fitting bottom at 43, and is adapted to straddle and rest upon the upper end of the center brace 13 of the top section C of the apparatus, and-` at its opposite ends the distributor 41 is provided with end pieces 44 adapted to enter and rest in seats or notches 45, see Figs. 4 and 7, in transverse top bars or ltracks 46, which are rigidly secured on the top ends of the end supports 15 of the top section of the apparatus. The top track bars 46 are preferably of the channel form shown in Fig. 4 and constitute tracks for the supporting wheels of the side closure plates for the apparatus.

The tubes are provided with the usual bottom ribs 47 for ensuring the proper floW` of theliquid from one tube to the next lower i tube, and preferably the tubes are equipped with inclined overlapping collars or circumferential dams 48` adjacentthe end supports 15 to keep the liquid Ifrom contact with the end supports.

50 and 51 represent upright side covers or walls which are movably supported at .opposite sides of thebank 0f tubes, and in conjunction with the trough base and a top cover form a protecting enclosure for the heat exchange elements. These side walls may be of any suitable construction, but as shown, consist of rectangular angle bar frames 52 to which sheet metal plates 53 are secured at their edges, the walls -being braced and stifened by vertical brace rods 54 connecting the top and bottom frame bars. Each side wall or cover 50-51 is provided at its top at opposite ends with wheels 55 gadapted to roll on the tracks '46, the side wall being hung'by suitable journal brack ets 56 from" the wheels, whereby the wall is adapted to move freely toward and from the sides of the bank of tubes. The walls or covers 50. 51, extend from `one to the other of the end supports 15 for the tubes and are adapted to be secured against the outer faces of the end members by suitable means, such as latches 57, see Fig. 2, to thereby effectually close in the opposite sides .of the heat exchange tubes.

The top cover or roof shown is formed in two sections 60 and 61, which are adapted to be placedover the distributor at the top of the apparatus-and cover the/same, from one to the other of the transverse track bar 46. Each cover section shown is provided at its outer end with a depending notched fla-nge 62 adapted to rest upon studs or pins y63 pro jecting inwardly from the upturned, inner edge of the bottom flange of one of the transverse track bars 46, and Aat its inner end is provided with similar notched flanges 64 which are adapted to rest on pins or studs 65, see Figs. 1 and 8, projecting from the middle fitting 42 of thefliqu'id distributor 41. The cover sections 60 and 61 are notched` at their inner ends at 66, see Fig. 10, to fit against the upright nipple of the center fitting 42, andrarc preferably provided with suitable handles 67 .for lifting them. When the top cover sections are in positioni resting on the transverse track bars 46 and on'the center fitting of the distributor, they extend over the top of the distributor and heat eX- change tubes 11 from oneto the otherof the track bars 46 and from the upper edge of one of thel side covers 50 to the upper edge of the other side cover 51, andeffectually enclose the upper portion of the apparatus. The bottom edges of the side c'overs when'in closed position, extend close to the side edges of the base trough 36 so that the trough, side covers and top coverwform a complete chamberefl'ectually` enclosing the heat exchange tubes and distributor and protect the liquid flowing on the exterior of the tubes from contamination. Nevertheless the side covers can. be easily rolled awayfromthe bank of tubes, and the top cover readily removed bination of a series of tubes arranged' side by side and connected end to end in series, means which hold the tubes 'and maintain the relative position thereof but which leave the ends of adjacent tubes free to expand and contract lengthwise independently of each other and relatively to their end connections, and means for holding the ends of the tubes against displacement in a. direction at an angle to their length.

2. In a heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a series of tubes arranged side by side, means for securing, the tubes at their mid-length portions, means whereby the relative position of the tubes is maintained while the tubes are leftfiee to expand and contract lengthwise, and connectors which join said tubes end to end in series and are coupled to the tubes so as to permit independent movement of the ends of the tubes relative to the connectors.

3. In a heat exchange apparatus, theeombination of a series of tube; arranged side byside and connected end to end in series, means securing the tubes between their ends, and supports for holding the ends of the tubes in predetermined relation, the ends of thetubes being free to expand and contract lengthwise independently relatively to said end supports and relatively to their end connections.

4. In a heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a series of substantially horizontal tubes arranged one above another and connected end to end in series, means securing said tubes at their mid-length portions, and end supports for the opposite ends' of the tubes, the ends of the tubes being loosely supported and h eld in place by said end supports while being free to expand and contract lengthwise independently relatively to each other and to their end connections.

5. In a heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a series of tubes arranged side by side, means securing said tubes at ltheir mid-length portions, supports by which the ends of the tubes are loosely supported so as to leave the tubes free to expand and contract lengthwise independently, and connectors joining said tubes in series, said connectors being connected to the tubes by liquid tight joints which permit slight independent expansion and contraction of the ends of the tubes relative to the connectors.

6. In a beat exchange apparatus, the combination of a series of tubes arranged side by side, end supports provided with rseats in which said tubes are loosely held, whereby the relative position ofthe tubes is maintained, but the .tubes are free to expand and contract lengthwise independently, and con- 11ectors.]oining said ltubes end to end in serles,

ksaid connectors beingconnected to said tubes by liquid tight joints which permit slight independent movement of the tubes relative to the connectors.

7. Ina heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a combined supporting base and trough comprising cast metal trough ends and a sheet metal trough body secured to said ends and together therewith forming a trough, end supports secured on and rising from the trough ends, and a bank of tubes supported one above another lengthwise over said trough by said end supports, whereby the heat exchange apparatus is supported by said trough base.

8. In a heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a base comprising rigid end pieces connected by tie bars, an open ended trough body secured to said end pieces and tie bars and together with the end pieces forming a trough, end supports secured on and rising from sald end pieces ot the base, and a series of tubes supported lengthwise over said trough by said end supports.

9. In a heat exchange apparatus, the cornbination of a series of substantially horizontal tubes, end supports by which said tubes are loosely supported and retained in predetermined relative position one above another, While being left free to expand and contract lengthwise independently, connectors which join said tube end to end in series and which allow independent expansion and contraction of the ends of the tubes relatively to the connectors and a base on which said end supports are secured, said base being provided with a trough beneath said tubes for catching liquid owing down over the exterior of said tubes.

10. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a bank of tubes over thc exterior of which liquid is adapted to flow, and a trough for catching the liquid flowingof of said tubes, said trough being relatively shallow expect for a deep pocket at one point inw-hich the liquid is adapted to collect, and a pump inlet connection at the lower portion of said pocket, whereby said connection is kept submerged.

v11. In a heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a base provided with a trough, end supports mounted on the ends of said base, a -bank of tubes supported one above another lengthwise over said trough by said endsupports, side covers at opposite sides, of said'bank of tubes extending from oneto the other of said endsupports, and a top cover above said tubes, said trough end supports and side and top covers forming an .enclosing chamber for said bank of tubes, and said side and top covers being movable tocxpose said tubes. Y

12. In a heat exchange apparatus, the combination of 'a base, a bank of tubes, stationary end supports by which said tubes are supported over said base, side covers at opposite sides of said bank ottubes extend- 4 cooperating covers cooperating to ing from one to the other of said end supports, and a top cover over said bank of tubes, said` base, end supports, side and top orm an` enclosing chamber for said bank of tubes, and said side and top covers being movable to expose said tubes.

13. In a heatexchange apparatus, the combination of a bank of tubes, transverse tracks side covers movable on said tracks to an from covering positions adjacent opposite sides of said bank of tubes, and a top cover with said side covers to enclose the upper portion of said bank of tubes.

14. 1n a heat exchange apparatus the combination of a bank of tubes, transverse tracks at the top of said bank of tubes, side covers hung from and movable on said tracks to and from covering positions adjacent opposite sides of said bank of` tubes, and a top covei comprising removable sections cooperating with said side covers to enclose the upper portion of said bank of tubes.

ROLAN JAY WIGHTMAN.

WILLIAM ASTLE.. 

